A Look at the MD Program Class of 2018 by the Numbers

A new academic year is a time of great anticipation and excitement at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. Every August, the school welcomes about 175 new students who dream of becoming doctors and improving the health of the lives of the residents of Wisconsin and beyond.

Just making it to medical school is a significant achievement in itself, as the process is highly competitive nationally. And once classes have started, there is little time to relax. For students at the School of Medicine and Public Health, their first patient encounter began on day 1 as they participated in "Faces of Patients," an immersive experience in which the future physicians learned one of the most important lessons in medicine: Doctors don't treat diseases, they treat people.

While the curriculum is rigorous, medical school is also an experience to be enjoyed. With that in mind, here's a look at some fun facts about the class of 2018.